Karson Leavitt, Age 9, has been swimming at EVO Swim School since 2010. He began in our Otter class (first level of swimming lessons) and is now a member of our Competitive Swim Squad with RIO Salado Swim Club (EVO’s competitive swimming component).

Karson is a great example of what the EVO/RIO system of instruction is designed to do. Karson learned how to swim with us, learned the competitive strokes with us, experienced our Development Swim Team, and is now among the ranks of our Competitive Swim Team. We hope to see Karson swimming in college one day and at the rate he is going, he can do it!

We recently took a moment to ask Karson a few questions about his time here at EVO/RIO and what he loves about swimming:

Q: What do you like most about swimming?
A: I love the water! Swimming is calming, smooth and feels great when gliding through it. Nothing feels better in the Arizona summer than swimming.

Q: What do you like most about EVO Swim School?
A: I loved my instructors. Kelly, Jordan, Ben, Chris, Andrea and of course our man, Patrick! All of them taught me a lot along the way. You also get a certificate and small toy every time you graduate to another level. Ringing the bell is pretty cool too!

Q: If you had to describe EVO & RIO using one word, what would you say?
A: FUN

Q: What were or are some goals you currently have in swimming?
A: A past goal I achieved was breaking 40 seconds in the 50 freestyle. Three future goals I have are to: 1) get state times before I’m ten, 2) make the varsity high school swim team freshman year and 3) swim on a college team and make the United States Olympic team.

We also took a moment to ask Karson’s parents a couple of questions about their time at EVO Swim School:

Q: What do you like most about EVO Swim School?
A: Great Instruction!!! The instruction was comprehensive and complete. The school achieves this by providing an excellent learning environment along with a staff that understands swimming and how to help your child find success.

Q: What are you most proud of regarding your son in relation to swimming at EVO Swim School?
A: My son of 9 years old has learned that hard work, persistence and patience pays off when you are focused on goals. For the last six months Karson has been in the the “CJ” (Competitive Juniors) training group with Rio Swim team. His past and present instruction has enabled him to achieve being in the 100 yard butterfly finals at the Lost Dutchman Invite (the largest meet in AZ) and qualified for six races in this year’s Age Group Regional Championships. He would not have been able to do this without the proper form.

Q: Do you see/does Karson strive to go to the College/Olympics one day for Swimming?

A: Definitely, what a great sport swimming is! The atmosphere created by EVO and RIO has inspired my son to set and achieve goals while having the time of his life. He currently wants to swim for ASU and represent us in the Olympics. Thank you for the positive impact this organization has made in my son’s life.

We are rooting you on Karson! We hope to be a part of your continued success for years to come.

]]>http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/long-time-evo-student-making-waves-since-2010-2/feed/0Ella Williams Age 10 Seal Graduatehttp://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/ella-williams-age-10-seal-graduate/
http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/ella-williams-age-10-seal-graduate/#respondSat, 17 Oct 2015 18:30:31 +0000http://www.evoswimschool.com/?p=25608EVO Swim School is pleased to announce that Ella Williams, age 10, has graduated from the Seal class level. She is now considered a proficient backyard swimmer with the ability to swim three widths of our pool (30 yards total) with a strong kick and great breath control. She can also jump from the side, get a breath on her back, and return to the side of the pool as a safety habit. She will be moving to the Sea Lion class to receive an introduction to the freestyle stroke with an emphasis placed on “big arms”. On behalf of Ella’s instructors; Alexis, and the entire EVO Swim School staff, we say…CONGRATULATIONS!
]]>http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/ella-williams-age-10-seal-graduate/feed/0Eleanor Colombe Age 5 Sea Lion Graduatehttp://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/eleanor-colombe-age-5-sea-lion-graduate/
http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/eleanor-colombe-age-5-sea-lion-graduate/#respondSat, 17 Oct 2015 18:15:57 +0000http://www.evoswimschool.com/?p=25606EVO Swim School is pleased to announce that Eleanor Colombe, age 5 has graduated from the Sea Lion class level. She can now display the ability to swim a basic freestyle stroke (otherwise known as “big arms”) while taking a breath on her back. She is prepared for the Porpoise class where she will learn the freestyle side breathing technique and backstroke. On behalf of Eleanor’s instructor, Griffin, and the entire EVO Swim School staff, we say…CONGRATULATIONS!
]]>http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/eleanor-colombe-age-5-sea-lion-graduate/feed/0Diego Sotomayor Age 7 Porpoise Graduatehttp://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/diego-sotomayor-age-7-porpoise-graduate/
http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/diego-sotomayor-age-7-porpoise-graduate/#respondSat, 17 Oct 2015 18:01:31 +0000http://www.evoswimschool.com/?p=25604EVO Swim School is pleased to announce that Diego Sotomayor, age 7, has graduated from the Porpoise class level. He has learned to swim a proper freestyle stroke with the side breathing technique and backstroke. He is now ready for the Dolphin class where he will learn breaststroke and butterfly. On behalf of Diego’s instructor, Victoria, and the entire EVO Swim School staff, we say… CONGRATULATIONS!
]]>http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/diego-sotomayor-age-7-porpoise-graduate/feed/0Dane Heinlein Age 6 Seal Graduatehttp://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/dane-heinlein-age-6-seal-graduate-2/
http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/dane-heinlein-age-6-seal-graduate-2/#respondSat, 17 Oct 2015 17:57:25 +0000http://www.evoswimschool.com/?p=25602EVO Swim School is pleased to announce that Dane Heinlein, age 6, has graduated from the Seal class level. He is now considered a proficient backyard swimmer with the ability to swim three widths of our pool (30 yards total) with a strong kick and great breath control. He can also jump from the side, get a breath on his back, and return to the side of the pool as a safety habit. He will be moving to the Sea Lion class to receive an introduction to the freestyle stroke with an emphasis placed on “big arms”. On behalf of Dane’s instructors; Zack, and the entire EVO Swim School staff, we say…CONGRATULATIONS!
]]>http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/dane-heinlein-age-6-seal-graduate-2/feed/0Connor Meliska Age 5 Sea Lion Graduatehttp://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/connor-meliska-age-5-sea-lion-graduate/
http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/connor-meliska-age-5-sea-lion-graduate/#respondSat, 17 Oct 2015 17:47:20 +0000http://www.evoswimschool.com/?p=25600EVO Swim School is pleased to announce that Connor Meliska, age 5 has graduated from the Sea Lion class level. He can now display the ability to swim a basic freestyle stroke (otherwise known as “big arms”) while taking a breath on his back. He is prepared for the Porpoise class where he will learn the freestyle side breathing technique and backstroke. On behalf of Connor’s instructor, Laci, and the entire EVO Swim School staff, we say…CONGRATULATIONS!
]]>http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/connor-meliska-age-5-sea-lion-graduate/feed/0Claire Stapley Age 4 Sea Lion Graduatehttp://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/claire-stapley-age-4-sea-lion-graduate/
http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/claire-stapley-age-4-sea-lion-graduate/#respondSat, 17 Oct 2015 17:41:08 +0000http://www.evoswimschool.com/?p=25598EVO Swim School is pleased to announce that Claire Stapley, age 4 has graduated from the Sea Lion class level. She can now display the ability to swim a basic freestyle stroke (otherwise known as “big arms”) while taking a breath on her back. She is prepared for the Porpoise class where she will learn the freestyle side breathing technique and backstroke. On behalf of Claire’s instructor, Zoe, and the entire EVO Swim School staff, we say…CONGRATULATIONS!
]]>http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/claire-stapley-age-4-sea-lion-graduate/feed/0Chloe Shen Age 6 Porpoise Graduatehttp://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/chloe-shen-age-6-porpoise-graduate/
http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/chloe-shen-age-6-porpoise-graduate/#respondSat, 17 Oct 2015 17:36:28 +0000http://www.evoswimschool.com/?p=25596EVO Swim School is pleased to announce that Chloe Shen, age 6, has graduated from the Porpoise class level. He has learned to swim a proper freestyle stroke with the side breathing technique and backstroke. He is now ready for the Dolphin class where he will learn breaststroke and butterfly. On behalf of Chloe’s instructor, Riley, and the entire EVO Swim School staff, we say… CONGRATULATIONS!
]]>http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/chloe-shen-age-6-porpoise-graduate/feed/0Chloe Martinez Age 9 Dolphin Graduatehttp://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/chloe-martinez-age-9-dolphin-graduate/
http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/chloe-martinez-age-9-dolphin-graduate/#respondSat, 17 Oct 2015 17:30:07 +0000http://www.evoswimschool.com/?p=25594EVO Swim School is pleased to announce that Chloe Martinez, Age 9, graduated from the Dolphin class level. Chloe can now display the basics of all four competitive swimming strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly). Chloe has completed the EVO Swim School curriculum for group lessons and is ready for our Advanced Stroke class. Advanced Stroke classes swim the length of our pool and receive an introduction to the swim team environment. Here she will learn how to turn on the wall, read a pace clock, and perform new drills with fins on her feet. On behalf of Chloe’s instructor, Laci, and the entire EVO Swim School staff, we say… CONGRATULATIONS!
]]>http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/chloe-martinez-age-9-dolphin-graduate/feed/0Chloe Keen Age 7 Sea Lion Graduatehttp://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/chloe-keen-age-7-sea-lion-graduate/
http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/chloe-keen-age-7-sea-lion-graduate/#respondFri, 16 Oct 2015 22:26:44 +0000http://www.evoswimschool.com/?p=25592EVO Swim School is pleased to announce that Chloe Keen, age 7 has graduated from the Sea Lion class level. She can now display the ability to swim a basic freestyle stroke (otherwise known as “big arms”) while taking a breath on her back. She is prepared for the Porpoise class where she will learn the freestyle side breathing technique and backstroke. On behalf of Chloe’s instructor, Ben, and the entire EVO Swim School staff, we say…CONGRATULATIONS!
]]>http://www.evoswimschool.com/student-graduates/chloe-keen-age-7-sea-lion-graduate/feed/0